Putin Against Outside Funding of Political Parties, NGOs

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will not allow foreign funding of political parties and non-governmental organizations in the Russian Federation.

In a meeting with the Russian government's Human Rights Council Wednesday, Mr. Putin said there is not any "self-respecting country" that allows foreign funds to pay for political activity inside its borders. Mr. Putin said Russia should be able to deal with its domestic issues without outside interference.

Moscow has watched with deepening concern as leaders were toppled in several former Soviet republics in the past two years. Russian officials have claimed U.S. funding was a major force behind the protests that swept pro-western leaders to power in Georgia and Ukraine.

Washington says, however, the driving force was the power of democracy.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.